PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

 
 

Signature Scents of Strength: How Athletes and Wrestlers Use Fragrance for Confidence

By Kendall Jenkins on 2026-01-14 09:32:00

Confidence is not built only in the gym. For athletes and wrestlers, the right attitude can be the difference between a personal best and a mediocre performance. And though the strict training, the diet, and the psychological preparation are all self-evident, one more, but equally potent, tool most professionals do not consider is the use of the fragrance.

The scent athletes use can really boost their confidence, concentration, and brand.

The Psychology Behind Scent and Confidence

It may be hard to believe, but there is scientific evidence that shows the relationship between scent and self-confidence. The part of the brain that controls emotion, memory, and motivation is directly connected to our sense of smell.

Even a carefully selected scent will evoke a feeling of power, tranquility, or even inspiration. Athletes have a sense of this: the right fragrance can serve as a mindset booster, helping them enter a state of strength before a game or competition.

Fragrance as Part of Ritual

Athletes with the highest performance tend to make scent a part of their routine. Wrestlers, e.g., may use a signature perfume before going into the mat. Weightlifters can use it as a pre-workout strategy to help strengthen focus. 

The of a familiar scent can also help strengthen a sense of control and readiness, even when you're not in the gym. It is not vanity, but psychology. Fragrance, as a proper warm-up, fills the mind and body with a sense of performance.

Signature Scents Across Sports

Not all athletes approach fragrance in the same way. Wrestlers often prefer bold, musky, or spicy fragrances that project strength and resilience. Weightlifters and power athletes gravitate toward woody or leathery notes, signaling intensity and determination. 

Meanwhile, endurance athletes, like marathoners or swimmers, tend to select lighter, fresher scents, citrus or aquatic tones, that evoke energy and clarity. The choice of scent becomes an extension of the athlete’s persona, reinforcing both internal confidence and external perception.

Selecting the Right Scent

It is hard to find a fragrance that will speak to your personality and athletic identity. Full-size bottles are pretty expensive, and what fragrance is terrific in the store may respond differently to your body chemistry. This is why many athletes switch to smaller formats to experiment.

Using curated perfume decants, for instance, allows them to explore multiple scent families without committing to a large bottle. Sampling fragrances in this way ensures they discover a scent that complements their style, boosts confidence, and feels authentic.

Fragrance as Personal Branding

For professional athletes, scent goes beyond personal enjoyment; it’s part of personal branding. The right fragrance reinforces the persona they present to teammates, competitors, and fans. A wrestler known for power and intensity might adopt a signature spicy scent, while a sprinter may favor fresh and energetic aromas. 

Off the mat or track, these choices continue to communicate subtle cues about the athlete’s discipline, style, and confidence. Fragrance becomes a non-verbal signature that completes the athlete's image.

Practical Tips for Athletes

  • Timing: Apply fragrance 15-30 minutes before performance so it melds with your body chemistry.

  • Concentration: Opt for lighter concentrations for training, heavier ones for competition or public appearances.

  • Experiment: Try multiple scent families using perfume decants to find the right balance.

  • Travel-friendly options: Sample sizes and decants are easy to pack for competitions, training camps, or travel.

Conclusion

Athletes and wrestlers understand that performance is built from a combination of training, mindset, and strategy. Fragrance, while subtle, plays an often underestimated role in confidence and self-expression. 

For those looking to explore and identify their ideal scent, perfume decants offer an accessible and practical way to experiment.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!